11 for 22 | Elevating China’s Northwestern Culture to the World Stage
Project | Hemu Ski Resort
Importance | Mountain resort truly immersed in culture
Project Aim | Blending world class facilities with local flair
This article is about the strategic planning of Hemu Ski Resort, and is the first of a series in understanding this magnificent project.
At Hemu, we envision a ski and mountain resort truly unlike any other in the world. We create a world class tourism destination that boldly celebrates local culture and breathtaking nature – putting them first.
The remote village of Hemu is in the far flung reaches of Northwestern China, and is part of the stunning, yet under visited, Kanas Mountain National Park. Hemu is also home to rich ethnic cultures.
Our starting point is authentically embracing Hemu culture and adding a twist of modernity, rather than imitating Swiss Alp aesthetics as is generally seen at ski resorts, to create a mountain destination that drives local town development.
In this context then, we aim to shine a light on people and place and give them the global platform they deserve.
NDA looks forward to a future where Hemu attracts world class sporting events, and hosts Belt and Road Initiative meetings, all steeped in some of the most beautiful nature on the planet.
People and Place
Locals engaging in horseback sport
We start our design journey with the Hemu locale itself, a vast wilderness of snowy peaks, expansive grasslands, and thick birch forests. Hemu is where 3000 Kazakh and Tuva ethnic minorities call home, whose semi-nomadic pastoral way of living has changed little over the ages.
The incredibly picturesque village has long been a photographer’s dream, with striking wooden houses that are built half underground to protect against harsh winter cold, and where every front door faces east.
Hemu Village in winter
Once upon a time a staging post for Genghis Khan, horse-riding culture runs deep here, especially prevalent in local customs and sports.
Planning and Activity
We separate Hemu Ski Resort into three: village, resort, and mountain. At each zone we plan year-round activities that enthrall visitors of all demographics.
Village
The village is where the adventure begins! This is the landing stage for adventurers to begin their immersion into the Xinjiang alpine experience.
We create a modern village beside the original one that captures its authenticity whilst developing a better life for residents with modern schooling, healthcare, and community facilities.
Village Overview
Mountain Resort Belt
Mountain Resort Belt
At the resort district guests find rest and recreation across three themed zones, alongside entertainment at Jikepulin Festival Park that binds them together.
（Perfomance Activity Inspiration)
Sports enthusiasts will make a beeline for the Vitality Sports Campground which hosts a training ground for athletes, a spa, and a diving centre.
（Medical Resort Overview)
The Cultural Base is perfect for families where they discover the unique local culture, especially the Tuva welcoming ceremony and the Kazakh medicine park.
（Art Village Inspiration)
Creatives will fall in love with the Ancient Silkroad Art Village which aims to be the first international art base in Xinjiang.
Binding these three zones together is the Jikepulin Festival Park, where guests are enraptured by traditional performances, light shows, and even ice sculpting festivals.
（Activity Inspiration)
Mountain Activities Zone
The activities zone is a 360-degree all-altitude all-weather experience, bridging the 1450m starting point to the 2750m high peak through a network of trails and connecting activities.
At the lower ground level, we plan for horse-riding, hiking, running and so on. On the hillsides we create the 1450 Energy Camp, especially for families who will love the rock climbing, obstacle runs, and easier ski slopes.
Further up are the ski slopes for some of China’s best skiing – whilst out of winter, guests can enjoy the thrills of bungee jumping, paragliding, and quadbiking. Finally, the most adventurous visitors can soar across the sky in helicopters and hot air balloons!
Vision Realised
（Hemu Village in spring)
We set out to create a destination that would put a spotlight on Hemu, its people and the incredibly immersive experiences to be found here.
（Characteristic roof shape)
Hemu has long been known for its beauty, but poor infrastructure means locals struggled to meaningfully capitalise on tourist revenue. This is because the normal model of large scale ski resort would heavily impact the environment, which is why we are so careful with our design.
That’s why our vision for a developed Hemu is based exactly on people and place, where not only are they not disrupted, instead they are highlights of the Hemu experience, and the main beneficiaries!